Renewable energy creditors versus renewable energy debtors: Seeking a pattern in a sustainable energy transition during the climate crisis

Abstract

Considering unpredictable and hastily evolving tipping points (like the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing climate crisis and the war in Ukraine), it is clear that sustainable energy transition and utilization of locally sourced renewable energies must be in the heart of both national, regional, and local energy systems. However, if we take a closer look at the actions undertaken at the local (communal) level, we see enormous diversity of patterns, prerequisites, and implications that drive and affect spatial deployment of renewable energies. Therefore, our research targets to better comprehend the question if individual communities are comparatively involved in the energy transition. We also ask whether the demand and supply of renewable energy is territorially balanced and how these differences (if any) can be justified. We are framing our research by the concepts of energy justice and ecological debt. We thoroughly explore and asses the renewable energy balance on the level of individual communities which is based on data on the installed power capacity potentials and energy consumption in local administration units in Poland (380). Spatial distribution and discrepancies in the deployment of the renewable energy creditors and the renewable energy debtors are detected. Noticeable disproportions were identified among communities where improved utilization of local potential of renewable energy could exceed energy demand (29% of communities). This result is contrasting with communities (71% of communities) that can be, on the other hand, classified as renewable energy debtors. We claim that insufficient support (institution, regulatory, and financial) for expanding local renewable energy systems is a clear barrier when adapting to the climate crisis by balancing the energy demand and supply at the local level.

Impact of Economic Awareness on Sustainable Energy Consumption: Results of Research in a Segment of Polish Households

“…As highlighted in this study, enhancing economic awareness and promoting energysaving knowledge remain critical aspects of achieving meaningful progress in sustainable energy consumption. While Poland has made strides in promoting renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency standards [154,155], addressing barriers such as limited access to information, cognitive biases, and socio-economic disparities is essential for maximizing the impacts of these efforts.…”

Shaping a model of transformation in a huge centre of zinc and lead smelting: case study of Szopienice district in the city of Katowice (Poland)

“…Over the past two centuries, many mining regions have formed a specific polycentric settlement network, which morphologically started to form industrial urban conurbations, such as the Ruhr in Germany or the Katowice conurbation in Poland (Blotevogel, 1998;Wehling, 1998;Knapp et al, 2006;Szymańska, 2013;Krzysztofik, 2021). Contemporary discourses on post-coal regions focus on issues such as: climate change (Unruh, 2000;Pearson & Foxon, 2012), just transition (Frolova et al, 2019;Kazak et al, 2023;Drobniak, 2023), post-mining management brownfields (Pediaditi et al, 2010;Rahmonov et al 2020;Pytel et al 2021;Turečková et al, 2022), economic competitiveness (Harfst & Wirth, 2011;Klusáček et al, 2018;Kantor-Pietraga et al, 2023). Publications devoted to these issues are an important element in understanding the socio-economic and spatialinfrastructural changes in (post-)mining regions.…”

The Application of GeoPlanner in Local Development Management

“…Local development planning can help improve community well-being by concentrating on local assets, abilities, and resources (Bazan-Krzywoszańska et al, 2017;Chodkowska-Miszczuk & Szymańska, 2014). Additionally, local development planning can aid in addressing a number of urgent global issues such as socioeconomic injustice, climate change, and the deterioration of democratic institutions (Kazak et al, 2023). Local communities can cooperate to create more just and sustainable societies by promoting a sense of local ownership and control over economic development and enhance social participation in decision making processes (Kołat et al, 2022;Kryk, 2019;Przybyła & Kulczyk-Dynowska, 2018;Przywojska & Podgórniak-Krzykacz, 2022).…”